Lodging

Review: Pillows Hotel in Cebu City, Philippines

Leave a Comment

We were checking out of The Maxwell Hotel and we still have a good 2 nights before our flight out of Cebu. We were looking for something new and unique and when we checked Agoda, Pillows Hotel was just the right type of hotel we were looking for. So we booked and on the same day showed up in their front desk.

Scrabble Art in Pillows Hotel in Cebu City, Philippines

Pillows Hotel Experience

We rode a taxi from The Maxwell Hotel to Pillows Hotel. We could have just walked it but I was nursing a flu and was bringing a heavy backpack so we decided to take the easier route.

Upon arrival, we went to the front desk and was quickly asked how they could help us. We told the reception that we have a reservation via Agoda and was told to wait as they verify and arrange the documents. After less than 5 minutes the staff came back to us and told us that they have verified our reservation and the room was now ready.

Lodgings on our Southern Palawan trip

7 Comments

When Dong Ho and I met at Puerto Princesa airport we only had one plan in mind and that was to go as far south of Palawan as possible and back in 3 days. No concrete itineraries, just plain passion to see personally what is there.

We were targetting the island municipality of Balabac, unfortunately, the boat going there already left 2 hours before we arrived at the pier of Rio Tuba. Though the accommodations at the pier was really tempting as I have not experienced sleeping on a house on stilts, but it was still 3 o’clock in the afternoon and we could still cover more ground. That’s when we decided that we would go back to Brooke’s Point and stay there for the night to get an early start to go around the next day.

Rio Tuba Pier, Bataraza, Palawan

At the stopover of Roro Bus in Brooke’s Point we were asking around on where we could stay for the night when one of the staff in the cafeteria told us that the establishment beside was in fact a lodging. We went there, asked for the price of their fan room (300 pesos/room/night) and decided to stay there for the night as the room was okay with our standards.

Where to Stay in Hungduan, Ifugao

4 Comments

I was planning to stay in the 100 Pesos/person/night lodging in the Poblacion of Hungduan, Ifugao but when I communicated with the Tourism Operations Officer of Hungduan, Wena Sicat, she told me that I could stay in Giovanni’s Place which was located in the middle of Hapao Rice Terraces for 300 Pesos a night per person.

The last time I was in Hungduan, we viewed the Hapao Rice Terraces and personally I love it more compared with the ones I see on the viewpoint of Banaue Rice Terraces! So when I heard that I could stay in a lodge in the middle of it, there was no other choice but to say yes! And for 3 nights I stayed there enjoying the Rice Terraces, the cold river on the side, the culture and the fresh air.

Below are the available accommodations where you can stay in Hungduan, Ifugao.

Lodgings in Hapao Rice Terraces

Hapao Rice Terraces

The lodgings that I have researched in Hapao are all in the middle of the rice terraces so walking down on the rice terraces is a must. If you want to stay here, tell the driver of the jeepney or tricycle to drop you at Balenga Residences.

From there you can ask locals for directions on how you can traverse through the rice terraces and arrive at the logings.

Think waking up in the middle of the rice terraces. Sweet experience!

Giovanni’s Inn

If you’re more of a laid back person, Giovanni’s Inn is for you as they have rooms with private CR and they also have a restaurant which serves generous amounts of food.

Rates

300 Pesos/pax/night Standard Rooms Private CR
500 Pesos/pax/night Native Hut Common CR

Food

Dinner and Lunch is 150 Pesos/serving – Rice, Meat and Vegetables

Breakfast is 100 Pesos/serving – Hotdogs, Egg and Rice

Contact Information: 0917-554-4008

Notes

Where to Stay in Poblacion, San Vicente, Palawan

15 Comments

Believe it or not, we stayed in a 55 Pesos/person/night dormitory type lodge inside the Public Market compound of Poblacion of San Vicente, Palawan.

It was a humble dormitory room inside the compound of their public market with only a banig (mat) and a pillow as bedding. For someone like me who’s more comfortable sleeping on a hard bed than the really soft ones this place is a sweet dream come true. It’s the cheapest I have seen in the country.

In front of the Public Market Dormitory

There are no lockers, so you must bring your stuff with you always, especially the important ones.

The bathroom are located outside and you’ll be sharing it with other people inside the market.

There’s also a time limit on how long you should stay outside the Public Market premises as they close the market compound gates at 10PM.

The room for men and women are separated.

Would I recommend travelers to stay in the Public Market Dormitory? Not really. Though it is open for anyone, the reason why this dormitory type of lodging is made is for the residents of San Vicente who got stranded in Poblacion. But if you want to stay there I won’t stop you. 🙂

Where would I recommend travelers to stay?

There are many options you can choose from when you want to stay in Poblacion of San Vicente but here are 3 of my recommended affordable lodgings.

John Eric Inn

What I like about John Eric Inn is that it’s located at the heart of town and only about 150 meters from the public market and the port. They also have 24 hours electricity. But what I really love about John Eric Inn is the price, it’s only 300 Pesos per night per person for 3 pax.

Rates

300 Pesos/room/night Fan Room with private CR
+50 Pesos/pax/night for extra pax exceeding 3 pax.

Contact Number: 0912-253-5224

Notes

  • They have electricity 24 hours.
  • There’s an internet shop nearby. 30 Pesos/hour.
  • There’s also a sari-sari stores nearby which is open from 6AM to 9PM.

Lodgings in Sabang, Puerto Princesa, Palawan

20 Comments

Since there are a lot of things you can do other than the famous Puerto Princesa Underground River in the town of Sabang, I highly recommend spending 2 or 3 days there.

So where should you stay in Sabang? Here’s the top 3 accomodations that I recommend when you stay in Sabang.

1. Tribal Beach Resort & Restaurant

Away from the crowd and has a beach front makes the Tribal Beach Resort the top of my list. Think of swimming when there is daylight, just sitback on the sand at night time and just go in to your room whenever you feel like it.

They also have a restaurant too where we ate good food.

Rates

Price No. of Pax Others
700 Pesos/night+150 for extra pax 2 Fan Room
1,500 Pesos/night+150 for extra pax 4-6 2 Double Bed
Fan Room

Contact Numbers

  • 0946-238-4873 Jubelle Magbanwa
  • 0917-645-8700 Edwin Magbanwa

Additional Notes

  • Their restaurant is open from 7:30AM to 10PM
  • Rates are negotiable especially during off-peak season
  • A friend of mine stayed here by pitching their tent, they just paid the resort a minimal fee.

2. Sunbird Cottages & Blue Bamboo Restaurant

Or famously known in Sabang as Blue Bamboo. Though it only has a sea front and no beach, I highly recommend this place because it’s the cheapest of all the lodgings in Sabang. And since we are cheapo, this is the place where we stayed.

Rates

Price No. of Pax Others
350 Pesos/night 2 May or may not have a private CR.
If it has a CR, it does not have a shower.
500 Pesos/night 2 Private CR with shower.
800 Pesos/night 4 Private CR with shower.

Contact Numbers

  • 0910-797-0038 Lorena
  • 0920-692-0027 Maymay

The room/hut we got